‘Loki’ Journey into Mystery Review: Classic Loki Rules in Another Stellar Episode

In the latest episode of Loki, the God of Mischief meets multiple variants of himself in pergatory. The acting, character development, cinematography and special effects in Journey into Mystery are fantastic.

Watching Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki is just a treat in this episode. Classic Loki is arguably the most powerful of the Loki’s. His story is probably even more tragic than our Loki, who was killed by Thanos. Grant nails the sad resignation of Classic Loki, which is a nice contrast to his colorful costume. Jack Veal is also quite fun to watch as Kid Loki. I didn’t really care much for Boastful Loki. Luckily, he takes a backseat to our Loki, Classic Loki, Kid Loki and Alligator Loki.

While the Lokis await annihilation, the TVA is scrambling in the wake of the fake Timekeepers. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is doing a great job of keeping Ravonna Renslayer’s knowledge or lack of knowledge a mystery. After this episode, I’m starting to wonder whether she’s the big villain after all. There’s another great Wunmi Mosaku scene as Hunter B-15.

The special effects are at another level in Journey into Mystery. Whether it’s a giant living cloud looking to consume variants or Classic Loki’s stunning display of power, all of the visuals are filled with glorious purpose and execution. There’s also a stunning digital one-shot to open the episode.

I also want to give a special shoutout to the sheer amount of easter eggs in this episode. There are MCU easter eggs as well as a fun shoutout to a certain Pixar franchise.

If Loki can stick the landing in the finale, the God of Mischief will sit at the top of the MCU series throne.

With the non-spoiler details out of the way, lets go through another Journey into Mystery. Loki is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Loki’s Journey Into Mystery

After being pruned, Loki wakes up in The Void surrounded by different versions of himself. The void is a planet that serves as a sort of purgatory. Similar to when Loki was arrested by the TVA, Loki doesn’t have a lot of time to sort things out. Hiddleston plays befuddlement so well. A dense fog with the face of a dog called Alioth is bearing down on the Lokis. There’s Aligator Loki, Kid Loki, Boastful Loki, Classic Loki and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki.

One of the best scenes of Journey into Mystery involves the 5 Lokis and several others including president Loki. Most of the Lokis immediately try to out scheme each other, while our Loki looks on in abject horror. President Loki is a great opportunity to see Hiddleston take on a more venomous Loki. Seeing another version of our Loki also serves as a great barometer for how far our version of Loki has changed thanks to his friendships with Mobius and Sylvie. The comedic highlight of the episode is Alligator Loki eating president Loki’s arm.

A skirmish breaks out between the Lokis, which Classic Loki uses to create an illusion. The distraction allows our Loki, Classic Loki, Kid Loki and Alligator Loki to escape.

The Mysterious Renslayer

While the Lokis debate their crimes, Sylvie is continuing her interrogation of Ravonna Renslayer. Ravonna tries to manipulate Sylvie. She says she wants to find out who created the Timekeepers just like Sylvie does. Sylvie goes along with Ravonna and Miss Minutes, but keeps her guard up. Ravonna reveals Loki is alive in the Void and eventually turns the tables on Sylvie. Then, Sylive prunes herself to join Loki.

In the Void, Sylvie gets some help. In a fun easter egg to Toy Story, Mobius serves as a getaway driver in a Pizza Planet car. Owen Wilson and Sophia Di Martino have great chemistry in their first scenes together.

Back at The TVA, Ravonna questions Hunter B-15. Mbatha-Raw and Mosaku are terrific in this scene. You would think Ravonna would have the advantage, but Hunter B-15 turns the tables. Hunter B-15 is able to glean that Ravonna is actually in the dark. Unlike Hunter-B15, Loki, Sylvie and Mobius, Ravonna wants to keep the facade of the TVA up and running. My only issue with the scene is Hunter B-15 seems to have information on Sylvie’s intentions that she can’t possibly have. Still a great scene, just a step too far.

All Hail Classic Loki

Before the battle of Lokis, Classic Loki tells his story. Our Loki dies at the hand of Thanos. Therefore, this older Loki must have done something to escape that fate. Classic Loki was able to create an illusion confusing The Mad Titan. He then removed himself from his brother and humanity itself. After awhile, he became lonely and missed his brother. The moment he decided to leave his life of solitude, the TVA arrested and pruned him.

Three scenes near the latter half of the episode run the gamut of emotions. The first is a sweet scene between Loki and Sylvie. It’s really the first time that Loki’s feelings are reciprocated in any fashion by Sylvie. The scene starts by Loki conjuring a blanket for himself, then ends with him creating one big enough for the both of them. Sylvie keeps the scene from being too cheesy with a well placed joke about the blanket being a tablecloth before saying thank you.

The 2nd scene is the reunion of Mobius and Loki. Sylvie was able to keep Ravonna’s Tempad. She offers to stay behind and enchant Alioth. All of the Lokis choose to stay behind and help Sylvie, while Mobius returns to burn the TVA to the ground. Before leaving, Mobius offers Loki a handshake. Loki neglects the handshake, hugs Mobius, I cry and it’s awesome.

The final scene is the climax of the episode. Loki attempts to distract Alioth, but is still gunning for Sylvie. Suddenly, a large green flash draws the attention of the hazy beast, Loki and Sylvie. Classic Loki has conjured an illusion of Asgard. As Alioth consumes this fake Asgard in a similar fashion to Surtur in Thor: Ragnorok, Classic Loki utters a final “Glorious Purpose” and is raptured by the beast. All that’s left behind is Classic Loki’s horned helmet.

The episode ends with Sylvie and Loki enchanting Alioth’s mind. They look on towards an otherworldly city as Journey into Mystery ends.

Journey into Mystery Final Thoughtsw

A fantastic penultimate episode that sets the stage for what should be an eventful finale. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and WandaVision had highs and lows in their respective finales, so here’s hoping Loki can stick the landing.

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